Draft's top pick signs 3-year contract

The 18-year-old Buffalo native scored 62 goals and added 83 assists in 58 games for London of the Ontario Hockey League last season, prompting the Hawks to use their first-ever top selection in the NHL entry draft on the forward.

"Based on his play at Prospects Camp we're excited to have him signed," Hawks general manager Dale Tallon said Wednesday. "We're excited about his future and our future. We want him to help us get back on top."

The deal is worth a base salary of $875,000 -- the maximum for a rookie -- plus another $2,850,000 in bonuses for a possible $3.725 million this season if the 5-foot-10-inch, 160-pound Kane makes the team and performs well.

"The Blackhawks organization has treated my family and me in a first-class manner and I'm looking forward to a long and exciting career with the team," Kane said in a statement.

Tallon and head coach Denis Savard both have indicated Kane has an excellent chance to be in the Hawks' opening night lineup Oct. 4 when they visit the Minnesota Wild.

"We're going to give him every opportunity," Tallon said. "I'm confident he can [make it]. I think he's only going to get better. I expect him to help our power play, mature and become a mainstay in our offense."

Next on Tallon's agenda is to re-sign third-year defenseman James Wisniewski, who scored two goals with eight assists in 50 games with the Hawks last season before suffering a torn ACL on March 6 and missing the rest of the season.

"We're close," Tallon said of signing the 6-0, 207-pound Wisniewski. "We should get that done in the next few days."